Shopping and Christmas Crafting (Nov.21, 2025)

 I was up early this morning and I planned on heading to the city first thing but the girls spent the night last night and Jason wanted to get his run in before I left so I stayed at the house until he was finished.

So I was looking for craft ideas while I was sitting around drinking my coffee.

I also found a fun Christmas activity that might be fun to do with the kids.

I found some examples to copy for when I actually get around to making these gingerbread houses.

Once Jason got back, I got ready and hit the road for a day of shopping.

It's probably good that I waited a bit because the roads were very icy this morning.

I was following a sanding truck right as I left town and I followed it for quite some time.

It was just the sanding truck and I for a long time then a tractor trailer came behind me and we were all going quite slow because of the sanding truck, like about 40-50 km/hour.

I didn't like being sandwiched between two big trucks but there wasn't much I could do about it but we were going slow so that made feel a bit better.

Eventually the sanding truck pulled over and let me and the tractor trailer by so we could go a bit faster.

I was expecting the truck to pass me because I was still being cautious, going about 80 km/hr (the speed limit was 100) but I looked in my rearview mirror and that big truck was swerving and sliding all over the highway behind me.

Thank goodness there weren't any other vehicles around on the road.

Everything was icy right until I got to Barrhead, I stopped in there for some gas and the sun was starting to come out by then so the rest of the drive in was much better, no ice.

I stopped at Costco and got a bunch of things that we need for Christmas.

These snowmen were on sale - I thought they would like nice in our front yard but I didn't really have room for them in my car.

I decided to pick the girls up dresses for their pictures with Santa this year.

I sent a bunch of options to Jason to show Freya so she could pick her favorite.

This reminded me of a little First Lady dress - something Jackie O might have worn.

I thought this red one was really pretty.

This pink one was sweet too.

I thought she might like this one because it was kind of funky.

This one had a really fluffy skirt (it ended up being the one she picked).

She considered this one but then changed her mind when she found out it was a pantsuit.

This skirt and top was really nice too.

I thought she might pick this one, she's been liking skirts lately.

Then I found a bunch for Eden but I couldn't make up my mind so I wanted Jason to help.

This one is the I ended up getting.

I did really like this one, it was a sweater dress.

It wasn't as fancy but I think it would have been a good option too.

There were a few with these little coats that matched that I loved.

The little gold bow on this one was fancy.

This skirt and top was Freya's favorite.

I really liked this one but I wasn't sure how long she'd even need to wear the coat and that was what I liked best about it.

Jason took the girls out for a walk and they went out to Swan Palace for lunch.

Eden sure loves it when she gets pop.

Back at home, they did some crafting.

Freya made herself a muzzle.

Jason bought them a cookie decorating kit so they did that as well.

Eden was taste testing the one she decorated.

Freya made a nice design on hers.

Jason made these Santa cards.

Then the girls decorated them.

Freya really loves doing arts and crafts so this was right up her alley.

Eden was all about it too.

She's such a little whirlwind and hard to contain- usually she draws all over whatever she can get her hands on but this kept her inline.

Look what I did Papa.

She did a great job.

It kept them busy at least.

Freya got creative and made a star too - you can see it on the table.

Here it is up close.

Here are some of the finished Santa's.

Jason got in on the fun too.

Here's his 'message'

He is definitely on the naughty list!

The girls had a bath - it's more like going in a swimming pool for them but the side affect is that they get clean.

Meanwhile in the city, I was shopping, shopping and more shopping.

I was hoping to get all of my Christmas shopping done but by 6 pm I was starting to get tired.

I got most of the food stuff for baking and snacking at Christmas but I only got a couple of presents.

I had planned on going to the mall for a few things but instead I decided to go home and figured I'd just go online and order a bunch of stuff.

I stopped for a sub at Firehouse then I hit the road.

It was still close to 9 pm when I got home so that was a pretty full day.

Jason helped me pack everything into the house and I put it all away.

Kody got home from work around 10 but had to leave again at 6 in the morning so we said we'd keep the girls again so he visited with them shortly then went home.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!